These illicit discharges could include illegal sanitary sewer connections to the storm sewer, failing septic systems, wash water from car washes or Laundromats or dumping oil, paint or other wastes in or near a street inlet.  Once these wastes enter the storm sewer system they are transported to our ponds, streams, lakes and rivers polluting them.  Its very difficult and costly to locate and remove the contaminated storm water as the wastes have been mixed and inter dispersed with the storm water.

Carol Stream is working with DuPage County to implement an IDDE program.  This year DuPage County will begin monitoring storm sewers and ditches that outfall into the West Branch of the DuPage River.  The monitoring is being done to first ascertain if there is an indication of an illicit discharge.  If DuPage County finds there is, they will trace the contamination upstream to its source.  They will then notify the Village who will follow up by getting the illicit eliminated.

The Village encourages all our residents and businesses to not allow any discharges to their storm sewer systems that would pollute the storm water and thereby harm the environment. 

For more information on the Village’s and DuPage County’s joint IDDE Program you can contact our Public Works Department at (630) 871-6260 or DuPage County at (630) 407-6700.

           DO 

• Pick up pet waste and dispose of properly in your trash can.
   

• If you wash your car at home wash it on your lawn to keep the dirty water from reaching our ponds and streams.  The lawn will help absorb the water and act as a natural filter.
   

• Take oil, unused paint, old gasoline or other wastes to a household hazardous waste site or recycling center where they can be disposed of properly.  Click on the Recycling Initiatives icon on the left to find locations and to learn more about recycling.

• Let your friends and neighbors know the importance of protecting our storm water and how they can help.
   

• Report any dumping or illicit discharge by calling the DuPage County Stormwater & Environmental Concerns 24-hour hotline (630) 407-6796 or by emailing them at Water.Quality@dupageco.org.  You may also contact our Public Works Dept. at (630) 871-6260. or email them at publicworks@carolstream.org.

DO NOT

• Don't dump oil, paint, fertilizers, pesticides, pet waste, gasoline, dirt or any other substance into the storm sewer inlet.
   

• Don’t connect any waste water discharge or sanitary sewer into the storm sewer system.  All water leaving a house or business that comes from toilets, showers, washing machines or washing dishes should first go to the water reclamation center where it can be treated before being discharged to the stream.  To learn more about Carol Stream’s award winning Water Reclamation Center click on this link.
   

• Don't ignore illegal dumping or polluting.  This only continues harming the environment and our drinking water supply while making it more costly to clean up.

Please call the Village of Carol Stream Public Works Department  at (630)871-6260 if you have any questions or want more information, or email publicworks@carolstream.org